silber@sbphy.ucsb.edu (02/22/89)
Naive question: (true?): The genes encoding fundamental cellular processes change much slower across evolutionary time than the genes controlling embryological development. If this is true it is because (???) a significant competitive edge can be gotten by a slight morphological change whereas messing with the stability of fundamental metabolic systems is more risky. If all that is true, then one should suspect that certain genes controlling development may have evolved to be more susceptible to mutation. If, in turn, that is so, would the factors associated with making these genes more susceptible to mutations, be implicated in uncogenesis? (please append all appropriate disclaimers and apologia for insertion of 'outsider' question...etc..etc..)